Your Logistics Uma Musume Has a Problem

"Hehe... You were just bored and wanted to drag me out to play, weren't you?"

As she spoke, Kagura raised a hand and lightly poked Nice Nature's cheek.

Nice Nature did not deny it. She merely gave a silly little smile. Ever since she had begun training, she felt that she had far fewer chances to see Kagura. She understood that studying hard and training diligently were her top priorities now, but she still hoped she could spend time with Kagura like this whenever she had the chance. Even if they did nothing at all, simply lying on the grass at the track and basking in the sun together would be enough.

"Since I ate a little too much tonight anyway, and you have so much free time, do you want to take a walk around the track with me and help digest it?"

"Yes! Take me with you!"

Nice Nature agreed without hesitation.

Thus, Kagura and Nice Nature turned around and walked toward Tracen Academy's track.

Students were rarely seen at the track at night. Aside from the occasional hardcore student who appeared at this hour, Rudolph Symbol was the only one who could usually be found there—along with Kagura, who had still been gathering material for her guide.

"It feels like it's been a long time since we took a walk around the track together, Kagura... Ever since you came to Tracen, you've always seemed so busy."

"Yeah. I can't help it. I'm a Logistics Uma Musume, so I always have things to do."

"But the other Logistics Uma Musume don't seem nearly as busy as you. They just attend classes normally, then write things after class... None of them personally cook meals or prepare strategy plans for the people they support like you do, right?"

Nice Nature understood what Logistics Uma Musume normally did. That was precisely why she felt Kagura truly deserved to be called Tracen's finest Logistics Uma Musume. In terms of support work, Kagura had already reached the limits of what a Logistics Uma Musume could accomplish. She could even compete with trainers for work. Compared with the students still struggling through classes, tests, and assignments, Kagura was dazzlingly outstanding.

"After all, I'm not only a Logistics Uma Musume. I'm also the Symbol family's maid. Taking care of the young lady is one of my duties, too."

"Ah... That's true."

Nice Nature sighed. When she thought about it, the Symbol family was Kagura's savior. When Kagura had needed help the most, the Symbol family had given her the aid she desperately needed. It was only natural that Kagura devoted herself to supporting Rudolph Symbol. Nice Nature was merely envious. While Kagura distributed her kindness equally among everyone, Rudolph Symbol received a greater share of her attention.

"What's wrong? Is it because I've been too busy lately and haven't had much time to tutor you? Do you have another question you want to ask me?"

"Although I'd like to say yes, my studies really are fine..."

"Is that so? Then I'll ask the chairwoman for a test later and see how you've been doing recently. If there's anything you don't understand, make sure to tell me right away. I may be busy normally, but I can still make time to tutor you."

Kagura knew she had not had much time lately to keep track of Nice Nature's studies. Still, she had learned about Nice Nature's situation through various channels. At present, Nice Nature's grades in theoretical classes had remained firmly within the top three of her year. That was already an excellent result, and there was no need for Kagura to provide additional tutoring to help her improve for the time being.

Kagura's always like this... She's always so concerned about me... so gentle...

Nice Nature was not surprised by that answer. It was exactly Kagura's style. No matter when, Kagura always seemed to be thinking of other people.

A thought surfaced in Nice Nature's mind—a somewhat impolite thought. She had seen Uma Musume in the park do something like this to their trainers before. She wondered whether Kagura would agree if she made the same request.

"Kagura... I... Can I hug you?"

Nice Nature hesitated for a long time. Before she realized it, she and Kagura had already walked more than half a lap around the track. Only then did she finally gather her courage and ask Kagura beside her.

"Hmm?"

Kagura stopped and looked at Nice Nature. People asking to hug her was hardly unusual these days. Rudolph Symbol had asked her something similar here last time. Supposedly, hugging her could help someone relax. Kagura did not know how that worked—hugging herself tightly when she was nervous certainly had no effect—but since Nice Nature had said that, perhaps she was under a lot of pressure too, just like Rudolph Symbol, and wanted to relax.

"Nature, has training been very stressful lately? Or have you been feeling like you can't keep up when studying?"

"N-No... It's nothing like that. I just suddenly wanted to do it..."

Nice Nature answered hesitantly. She could not explain why. She simply felt an inexplicable sense of urgency, as if she had fallen behind somewhere without knowing where, but she could not figure out the reason.

"Hehe, don't be nervous, Nature. It's only a hug. It's nothing serious. If you want to, go ahead."

"Mm..."

After hesitating for a moment, Nice Nature reached out and gently pulled Kagura, who was already a head shorter than her, into her arms.

Unlike the last time, when Rudolph Symbol had deliberately crouched down, Kagura could not pat Nice Nature's head while hugging her because Nice Nature was taller. She could only hold Nice Nature tightly. She could feel Nice Nature's body trembling slightly from nervousness.

"Nature, relax... Don't be nervous. If you're tired, you can rest against my shoulder for a while."

Nestled in Nice Nature's arms, Kagura gently patted her back and whispered softly into her ear in a warm, soothing voice, as though she were coaxing a child to sleep.

Nice Nature clearly felt Kagura's warm breath brush against her ear, making it itch. The warmth pressed against her in her arms made her heartbeat quicken.

She did not know what this feeling was. She wanted to hug Kagura more tightly, but Kagura's body was soft and slender, so she did not dare use too much strength, afraid that she might hurt her.

After a while, she heard Kagura softly humming a gentle melody beside her ear. The tender song made Nice Nature feel dazed, as if she had returned to her childhood home, resting in her mother's arms while her mother coaxed her to sleep. Training and preparing for the celebration had already exhausted her today. Wrapped in that gentle atmosphere, Nice Nature's consciousness grew increasingly hazy. At some point, her nervousness disappeared. Her head drooped unconsciously and came to rest on Kagura's shoulder.

"You really were tired... I suppose that makes sense. You trained today and prepared my celebration, too..."

When Nice Nature soon fell asleep against her shoulder, Kagura smiled helplessly. She wanted to move somewhere more suitable for Nice Nature to rest, but the spot where Nice Nature had fallen asleep was awkward. There was no lawn in front of them, and no railing behind them to lean against. After looking around for a while and confirming that no one would come to the track in the middle of the night to train obsessively, Kagura decided to simply stand there and let Nice Nature sleep for a while.

The weather had also begun to turn cold. Seeing that Nice Nature's uniform was rather thin, Kagura unwound the scarf around her neck and gently wrapped it around both their necks to keep the night wind from chilling Nice Nature.

This way, neither of us will get cold... Whew, buying a longer scarf really was the right decision. It can cover both of us at times like this.

"I'll make time to go out with Nature in a few days."

With that in mind, Kagura took out her phone and freed one hand to send a message to Nanban Trainer, asking whether there was any free time in the training schedule a few days from now. She wanted to take Nice Nature out for a walk.

Nanban Trainer did not seem to be resting either. Not long after Kagura sent the message, she received his reply. He was happy to let her take Nice Nature out. He said he had been worrying about how seriously and single-mindedly Nice Nature had been focusing on training lately and had been wondering how to help her relax. Kagura's suggestion had solved the problem perfectly.

"Turnip cake... Huh?!"

A few minutes later, perhaps because of some subconscious instinct, Nice Nature suddenly jolted awake. She saw Kagura still standing quietly in front of her, maintaining the posture she had been holding while Nice Nature hugged her moments ago.

Her neck felt warm. She instinctively raised a hand and touched it, only to realize that she and Kagura were sharing one scarf. She had been dressed rather thinly that night and had felt a little cold, but after being held by Kagura, her entire body felt warm. She no longer felt cold at all.

"Hehe, I told you that you were tired, Nature. How do you feel? Awake now?"

"Ah... Y-Yes, I'm sorry! I actually fell asleep right there on the track, and I made you stand here with me for so long!"

Nice Nature realized what had happened. Her face burning, she hurriedly apologized to Kagura and took off the scarf to return it.

"Hehe, it was only a few minutes. It's no big deal. Since you're awake now, why don't you go back to the dormitory and rest? If it gets any later, Miss Fuji Kiseki will start worrying."

"O-Okay!"

After saying that, Nice Nature hastily let go of Kagura and fled.

Goodness... Nature's still so easily flustered. I'll discuss going out with her in a few days when we get back.

84. The Rudolph Symbol Family (Not Really)

Little Kagura! I just noticed this post. So you're the Kagura-sensei mentioned here! [Link]

After preparing breakfast for Rudolph Symbol, Kagura went out for her morning run. She stopped beneath a tree in the park beside Tracen, sat down, and leaned against the trunk as she enjoyed one of the few free moments she had all day. Suddenly, she heard the sound of a private message arriving on her phone. She picked it up and saw that the sender was Invincible.

She opened the link and discovered that it was the photo of herself and Machikane taken during the last open day. Machikane had posted it on Umastagram at the time, and it seemed Invincible had come across it too.

I've been learning to cook by following your videos! Your cooking is amazing! Also, Kagura, you're not from the Hua Kingdom, right? Your Chinese cooking is even more authentic than some locals'! Did you live in the Hua Kingdom before?

That's true. I did live there for more than twenty years... But Inari Kagura has never been to the Hua Kingdom...

Kagura thought that to herself, then typed a reply saying no, she had only learned because she enjoyed it, and sent it to Invincible.

Wow! Then you really are amazing, Little Kagura! I've also seen people reposting your videos on the websites here. They get so many views!

Hehe, I'm glad you like them. That's the greatest affirmation I could receive. By the way, Miss Invincible, did you contact me today just to share my videos?

Of course not! I wanted to ask whether you plan to open an account on Bilibili. Ah, do you know what Bilibili is, Little Kagura? It's something similar to Umastagram over here.

I know. The reposted videos there were uploaded with my permission. Why?

That's even better! So many of your fans here hope you'll open an account and interact with everyone! I also think your videos deserve to be brought back home so people here can see them. Won't you consider giving it a try?

Kagura had actually considered opening an account on Bilibili for quite some time. However, she simply did not have the time to manage another account, so she had temporarily shelved the idea.

If you're worried because you don't understand Chinese, I can help manage the account for you! I just happened to return to the Hua Kingdom these past few days.

Apparently assuming that Kagura had not opened an account because of the language barrier, Invincible quickly sent another message.

Miss Invincible has already returned home?

Kagura was quite interested in this world's Hua Kingdom. Unfortunately, she currently had no way to visit it. Invincible, an Uma Musume from there, was therefore her only means of learning about it, which was why she had asked to keep in contact without hesitation when they first met.

Miss Invincible, are you serious? Running an account is very tiring, you know.

It's fine! I only have a personal account that I use to watch videos when I'm bored. If Little Kagura is willing to hand her account over to me, it'll also give me a chance to practice managing one~

I'm happy that you're willing to help, but you mustn't let this affect your studies or career.

Of course it won't! Trust the children of the Hua Kingdom! Our ability to multitask will definitely surprise you!

Seeing that Invincible had even added a thumbs-up emoji, Kagura could not help laughing. Having once emerged from that same fiercely competitive environment, how could she not know? She was not worried that Invincible would run into trouble. After all, she was technically a foreigner now. As long as she did not deliberately do anything foolish, nothing serious should happen. Given Invincible's personality, Kagura trusted that she would not cause any problems.

Thus, Kagura agreed to Invincible's proposal without much hesitation. After briefly discussing management and the related profits, they settled the matter. Both of Kagura's accounts now had different people running them. Eclipse was currently looking after her Umastagram account, while Invincible would manage the account over there. Kagura only needed to focus on making and editing videos, then send them to the two of them to post.

After dealing with this small interruption, Kagura checked the time on her phone. It was still early, and she wondered whether she should run two more laps.

Hmm? Behind that chair...

Kagura had just stood up when she noticed a tiny Uma Musume crouching behind a chair a short distance away. She was holding two branches as if she were playing hide-and-seek, apparently believing that they could make her invisible.

After observing for a while, Kagura realized that the child seemed to be watching her. She found it rather strange, but the child looked tired from crouching there. A chestnut-haired Uma Musume sitting farther away, who appeared to be the child's mother, was struggling not to laugh. Kagura decided not to torment the child any longer and called out:

"Little girl behind the chair, what are you crouching there for? You've been hiding for ages. Are you hiding from someone?"

"I've been discovered!"

As Kagura finished speaking, the little Uma Musume trembled as though startled. She tried to stand up with great dignity, but before she could fully rise, her head struck the chair with a loud thunk! She immediately crouched down again, clutching her head with tears in her eyes.

This startled Kagura instead. The impact looked rather painful, so she hurried over to check on her. Kagura carried simple medical supplies such as bandages, and she could treat the child if she had suffered a minor injury. The mother nearby also came running over with an awkward smile.

"Hey, little girl, you hit yourself pretty hard. Are you really all right?"

"It's fine... The Emperor won't go down that easily! It was just an ordinary bump!"

The little Uma Musume who called herself The Emperor stood up while clutching her head, puffing out her nonexistent chest and pretending to be calm. Of course, she would have seemed more convincing if she had wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes.

Only then did Kagura notice that she had seen this Uma Musume before. The white streak in her bangs was far too distinctive to miss. This was the little girl who had been trapped outside the crowd when a large group of reporters and various public figures had come to interview Rudolph Symbol after her recent victory. Her mother had eventually dragged her away.

Looking at her up close, the child seemed very young, about the same age as Mejiro McQueen, perhaps even a little younger than Kagura.

"I think I've seen you before, little girl."

"That's right! I've seen you too! At Miss Rudolph Symbol's interview, you were the pretty lady in a maid outfit standing by the second-floor railing and watching the whole time!"

"'Pretty lady' is quite a way to address someone... But how did you see me, little girl? I thought I was hidden pretty well in the shadows."

It seemed the little Uma Musume had noticed her then as well, but the title left Kagura rather speechless.

"Of course I saw you! The Emperor's eyesight is excellent... Gah?!"

"Emperor, you mustn't be so rude when meeting someone for the first time."

Before the little Uma Musume could finish, her mother, who had walked over from behind, held her head down and vigorously rubbed it. Kagura heard the child make a strange sound as her head was scrubbed.

"Hello, cute little girl. We saw you at Miss Rudolph Symbol's post-race interview last time. This child is Tokai Teio. After seeing you just now, she kept saying that she wanted to talk to you, but she didn't have the courage to come over, so she hid nearby instead... I hope she hasn't caused you any trouble."

"Haha, not at all. How could such a cute and harmless little girl trouble me? May I ask how I should address you, big sister?"

The mother looked quite young. Since Kagura did not know her age, she decisively called her "big sister." Not everyone was as unconcerned about age as Speed Symbol. As expected, the woman's smile grew even brighter, and her ears perked happily. She seemed very pleased with the title.

"I'm this child's mother, Tokai Nature. And you, little girl?"

"Big Sister Nature? My name is Inari Kagura. I'm Rudolph Symbol's Logistics Uma Musume. It's nice to meet you both~ By the way, Big Sister Nature said that Teio wanted to talk to me. What did she want?"

"Ah! You're Miss Rudolph Symbol's support staff?!"

Tokai Teio seemed to have heard about her support staff long ago. Kagura was not surprised. Aside from discussions about Rudolph Symbol's races, there had been plenty of online attention focused on her support team. Other than Toujou Hana, who had already appeared publicly, the only remaining member was Kagura, who had yet to show herself.

"That's right. But please don't go telling everyone. It would really cause me trouble."

"Don't worry! The Emperor will keep your secret! By the way, pretty lady, since you're a Logistics Uma Musume, does that mean you can enter the backstage area first after every race to see Miss Rudolph Symbol?"

When she recognized Tokai Teio, Kagura had more or less guessed that the child would make such a request. After all, the girl had been jumping up and down at the back of the crowd, clearly desperate to see Rudolph Symbol.

"That's right. If you want to come in and have a look next time, you can wait upstairs or outside the entrance. I'm usually there until the press conference ends. As long as Miss Rudolph Symbol agrees, I can take you to see her."

"Then I'll leave it to you!"

Tokai Teio bowed deeply to her with exaggerated seriousness. Kagura could not help marveling at Rudolph Symbol's frightening popularity. Even such a young child already had the hobbies of a devoted fan.

Kagura had originally wanted to reach out and ruffle the adorable child's hair, but since the child's mother was there, she decided that such a familiar gesture might be impolite.

"All right, little girl, is that all? If you don't have anything else to ask me, I'm going to continue my morning run."

"Wait! You're running here too, big sister?"

Tokai Teio suddenly looked delighted. Kagura felt that the child's gaze had instantly gained a few expectant sparks.

"Yes. I come out for a run whenever I have free time. The park is spacious, and the air is fresh, so it's a good place to exercise."

Although she had a faintly ominous feeling, Kagura answered honestly.

"Then... c-can I run a race with you?! Not training—a real race! Please, big sister! I really want to race someone! But everyone who comes to the park regularly refuses to race me after doing it once..."

As she spoke, Tokai Teio lowered her ears in disappointment, then lifted her head and looked at Kagura with eager anticipation.